Apparatus for assembling members



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12 Sheets-Sheet l R. HQFSTETTER APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING mamans Filed Feb. l5. 1927 May 19, 1931,

May i9, w31, R. HQFSTETTER APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING MEMBERS Filed Feb. l5. 1927 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 19, i931. R. HOFSTETTER APPARATUS FOR SSEMBLING NEBERS 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 15, 1927 May w, E933. R. HQFSTETTER APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING MEMBERS l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. l5. 1927 May 19, 1931. R. HQLFSTETTER 38@ APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING MEMBERS Filed Feb. 15. 1927' l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 3933., R. HQFSTTTER APPARATUS F032? ASSEMBLNG HEB ERS W w My w May 19, 1931. i

R. HOFSTETTER APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING HEHBERS Filed Feb. 15, 1927 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 19, 1931. R. HOF'STETTER 1,806,202

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING llElBrlRS Filed Feb. 15. 1927 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 May 19, 1931. R. HoFsTETTER 1,806,202

APPARATUS Fon AsssmLInG ulans Fi-led Feb. 15.` 1927 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 May 19, 1931.

R. HoFs'rE'r'rER 1,806,202 APPARATUS FR ASSEHBLIHG mBRS Filed Feb.,15`. 1927 1a. Smets-sheet 10 May 19, 41931. Y R. HoFs'rETTER 1,806,202

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLIG IEIBERS Filed Feb. 15. 1927 1.2.Sheets-Sheet 11 May l9, 1931. A R.HoFsTE1-TER l 1,806,202

APPARATUS FOR ASSEHBLING IEIBSRS Filed Feb. 15. 1927 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 Patented May 19, 193i ROBERT HOFSTETTER, GF DO'WNERS GEV, LLNS, ASSEGNOR TO VJESTERN ELEC- i TREC COMPANY, NCGEEOL 7E, NEW' YORK, N. Y., A CG'RPORATIQN 0F NEW YORK APPARATUS SFJEBIEBLING JEBERS Ao lcaton filed Februar 15 1927.

.Lx y r or the block, this carbon insert being n position by means of suitable bond- Vor cementing material. ln order to efcti -rely assemble theseprotector block parts, are must be exercised to properly insert the abon electrodes Within companion porce- -ain blocks and the bonding material must be anilied to a predetermined, localized area subjected to a proper heat treatment. rllhe primary obj-ect of this invention is to ing members from a source of supply and assembling them in an eficient and economical manner.

To attain this and other objects and in accordance with the general features of the invention, an apparatus is provided Which includes means for receiving an indiscrimin ely arranged supply of apertured porcelain blocks for feeding individual blocks to a predetermined position upon an indexing mechanism which advances them to a posi tionin` c ation and subsequently indeXes them to an inserting mechanism which causes the insertion of a carbon electrode Within the aperture of each positioned block. Only such blocks as are properly provided with carbon ins s are then transferred to an endless conveyor and 'thereby advanced to a cement supplying station and thence through a heating furnace for fusing the cementing materal. As the parts emerge from the furnace, each arbon i rt is straightened with respect to its companion blocl; and the cementing material is contemporaneously cooledso as to pron vide a hrm bond between the associated parts.

rif

C' electrode of carbon inserted Within the Serial No. 168,313.

Thus it will be understood that by means of this apparatus the entire assembly operation is aatomatieally controlled and protector bloclr parts are assembled in continuous, successive order. i

These and other objects and features of the invention Will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the laccompanying drawings illustrating an assembling appara.- tus embodying the features of the invention, in which n Fig. l is a planview of an assembling apparatus which is representative of one embodiment of the invention;

llig. 2 perspective view of an assembled protector bloc-lr of the type adapted to be assembled by the apparatus disclosed in Fig. l;

Tigs. 3, l, and 5 are vertical, transverse sec'- tions of a porcelain protector block similar one disclosed in Fig. 2, disclosing the i tive positions of the `parts at various i the assembly operation;

is a fragmentary plan vieW of the receiving end ofthe assembling apparatus with the supply hopper removed and a portion ofthe .machine frame broken away to disclose paits otherwise hidden;

`fragmentary plan view disclosis ing in detail the indexing portion of the apparatus; Y

F ig. 8 is a vertical sectional viewof the porcelain block hopper and driving mechanism therefor taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, detailed, sectional View of the porcelain block hopper taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. l; y

F ig. l0 is a vertical, sectional vievv taken longitudinally of the apparatus on line 10-10 of F ig. 7,

F ig. ll is a horizontal, sectional View talren on the line ll-ll of dig. 10;` l

F ig. l2 is an elevational view of the indexingor switching cam mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical, sectional vieW taken on theV line 13-13 of Fig. 7

Fig. 14; is a central, vertical, sectional vien7 of the carbon insert hopper` Which forms a continuation of the hopper support disclosed in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, detailed, sectional view of the carbon insert hopper taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 7

Fig. 17 is a detailed, vertical, sectional view of the porcelain block positioning mechanism or station taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the lower extremity of one of the positioning lingers as viewed from the left of Fig. 17

Fig. 19 is an elevational view of the carbon electrode inserting mechanism or station viewed as on the line 19-19 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 2O is a detailed, vertical section taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged plan view of the transfer and cementing mechanisms as disclosed in Fig. 1, the cement hopper being removed to more clearly disclose mechanisms therebeneath Fig. 22 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21, 'disclosing an elevational view ofthe cementing mechanism or station;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary, detailed, sectional view of the cementing mechanism taken on the line 23A-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a vertical, sectional View taken longitudinally of the transfer mechanism on the line 24-24 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 25 is a vertical, sectional View taken on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is an enlarged plan view of the insert straightening and cement cooling mechanism at the delivery end 'of the apparatus;

Fig. 27 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 27-27 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a portion of the conveyor chain as viewed on the line 28-28 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a sectional view of the intermittent drive for the conveyor chain taken on the line 29-29 of Fig. 1, the conveyor proper being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of the electrically controlled ejector mechanism taken on the line 30-30 of Fig. 7

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of the clutch control mechanism taken on the line 31-31 of Fig. 6, and

nFig. 32 is a fragmentary, sectional view or the clutch control mechanism taken on the line 32-32 of Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it is to be understood that the general arrangement of the protector Vblock assembly machine as disclosed in Fig. 1 comprises a combination of several principal parts as follows: A porcelain block supplying mechanism 40, an indexing mechanism 41, a porcelain block positioning station 42, a carbon inserting mechanism or station 43, a carbon insert supply mechanism 44 associated with the inserting station, a protector block transfer mechanism 45, an endless conveyor 4G, a cement supply station 47, an electric heating furnace 48, an insert straightening and cement cooling station 49, and other mechanisms for controlling and facilitating the operation of the machine. ln accordance with this arrangement and with the View of clearly describing the functional characteristics of the invention, the principal parts of the machine will be described in their above mentioned order and this description will be followed by a general statement of the operation of the machine.

The porcelain block supplying mechanism 40 comprises an inclined hopper 53 (Fig. 8)' secured at the upper end of a suitable frame mounted upon a-machine frame 55. A rotatable circular receiving plate 57 within the hopper 53 is secured at the upper end of an inclined shaft 58, the lower end of which supports a bevel gear 60` which meshes with a companion gear 61 mounted upon a vertical shaft 62. Rotation is imparted to this shaft (S2 through the medium of bevel gears 64 and and spur gears 6G and 67, the gear 67 bein g mounted upon a horizontal drive shaft 69 whicn is driven from a main drive shaft 70 through a chain belt 71 reaching between these shafts. The receiving plate 57 is designed to receive an indiscriminately arranged supply offporcelain blocks 73 of the type disclosed in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive. An annular track or guiding ridge 74 provided in the receiving plate 57 is designed to receive and guide the blocks 73-which become properly positioned within the hopper. rlhus when a block 73 is urged toward the margin of the receiving plate 57, a recess 76 extending longitudinally of the block eventually associates itself with the tra-cli 74. 'lf his block will be carried in a circular path upon the traclr to an opening 78 (Fig. 9) in the wall of the hopper 53 which forms the entrance to a chute79. A guide 8() serves to receive properly positioned blocks as they approach the opening 78 and guide the blocks into the chute 79. rlChe continued rotation of the plate 57 sufficiently agitates the indiscriminately arranged supply of blocks associated therewith with the result that blocks are readily carried into seated relation with respect to the track 74 and hence fed in a continuous stream through the chute 79.

Referring to Figs. 1, 7, and 10, it will be observed that the lower end of the chute 79 terminates at the forward end of a horizontally slidable ram 81. This ram 81 is operatively connected with a cam 82 carried by a horizontal drive shaft 83, this drive shaft being connected with the shaft 69 through a clutch mechanism later to be described. The ram 81`is operatively connected with the cam 82 by means of a'vertical lever 85pivoted at 86 and vcarrying' a roller 87 which engages with the surface of the cam 82. The upper end of the lever 85 is connected with one extremity of a horizontal rod 89 which is secured at its opposite extremity to the bottom of the ram 81v and it will be clear that upon each rotation of the cam 82 the ram 81 will be reciprocated, thereby carrying a porcelain block delivered from the chute 7 9 into operative association with the forward extremity of a slidable shifter bar 90. This shifter bar 90 is secured to a horizontal shifter rod 91 which is supported at one extremity by a pin 93 (Fig. 10) mounted upon a slidable carriage 94. Reciprocation is imparted to the carriage 94 through the operation of a cylindrical cam 96 mounted upon the shaft 83 clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 11. A roller 97 engaging with the surface of the cam 96 is supported by a depending portion of a pivoted arm 99, the free extremity of this arm being connected at one end of a slidable rod 100. r)The otherend of the rod 100 supports an upright block 102, the upper end of which slidably supports a rod 103 and encircling the rod 103 is a coil spring 105. rlhe forward extremity of the rod 103 is secured to a pin depending from and secured to the carriage 94, and it is to be understood that upon the forward movement of the rod 100 (to the left of F ig. 10) the block 102 will act against the spring 105, thereby effecting the forward movement of the carriage 94 and the shifter bar 90. This forward movement of the shifter bar 90 causes the porcelain block advanced by the ram 81 to be delivered to the '.idexing mechanism 41.

r1`his indexing mechanism 41 includes a horizontal, circular indexing plate 108'which is centrally secured to the upper end of a hollow, vertically disposed shank 109 (Fig. 10) revoluble within an upright bearing support 111 suitably mounted upon the machine frame 55. rllhe lower extremity of the hollow shank 109 is enlarged so as to present a flange 112 for supporting six rollers 114 equally spaced in a circular path about the axis of the shank. Intermittent rotation is imparted to the indexing plate 108 by means of a switching or indexing cam 115 (Figs. 10 to 12 inclusive) which is keyed to the drive shaft 83. Upon each rotation of the switching cam 115 one ofthe rollers 114 is engaged and advanced thereby so as to impart onesixth of a revolution to the indexing plate 108.

As porcelain block 73 is delivered to the indexing plate 108 by the shifter bar 90 it is advanced beneath pair of clamping fingers 117 and 118 which are supported at the upper extremity of a pair of slidable pins 119 (Fig.

10). These pins 119 are slidably mounted within a housing 121 which is suitably secured to the underside of the indexing plate 103 and vertically slidable within the hou iig 121 intermediate the pins 119 is a rod 122, The

upper end of which supports cross head 124. The cross head 124 is slidable upon the pins 119 and interposed between the cross head and a collar 125 secured to each of the pins 119 is a coil spring 120. TWithin the housing; 121 and slidahle 'adially with respect to the center of the hollow shank 109 a cam 1iflock 128 which supports a roller 129 and is provided with a. cam surface for engagement with a roller 131 carried-at the lower end of the slidable rod 122. From this description it will be understood that when the cam block 128 assumes its outermost position as clearly shown in Fig. 10, the

clamping lingers 117 and 118 will have been moved to their uppermost position, and it will be equally clear that when the cam block 128 is moved inwardly, the cross head is carried downwardly. thereby con'ipressing the springs and effecting the downwarr -niovement of the clamping lingers 117 and 118. After a porcelain block has been fed ieneath the clamping' fin. y is 117 and 118, the switching` cam 115 operates to index the plate 108 so as to carry the associated porcelain block into operative association with the positioning station 42.

rille positioning station 42 (Figs. 7, 13, 17,

18) includes a. bracket member` 133 suitably secured on the upper portion of the machine frame 55. TBimtally mounted on the bracket 133 is a rocker arm 134, one end of which carries a block 135 which is vertically slidable within a guideway 137 provided in the bracket 133. Pivoted to the block 136 within the guideway 137 is a positioning finger 139 which cooperates with a companion finger 140 formed integrally with the hlocl 130. As the porcelain block 73 ind` it is carried beneath the positioning li 139 and 140, as clearly shown in F 17, with a central aperture 142 of the block 73 positioned immediately beneath and in substaA tial registration with. the fingers 139 and 140. ilWhen the block has been inde) the above mentioned position the pos ning iin- `gers begin to move downwardly, this 1novement vbeing occasioned by the opera `oeain 143 (Figs. 10 and 13) 'keyed to 'the shaft 83 which causes the actuation of a rocker arm 145 operatively connected with one extremity of the rocker arm 134. its the ring lingers are inserted within the aperture 142, a stud 148 and the upper end of the finger 139 is carried into association witii a recess 147, and a 149 interposed between the lingers 139 and 140 causes movement of the 139 which is sinn# cient to engage the surface of the block 73 at one end of the aperture 142and thereby lred in.v the ai d surface 158 eng with one o" '5i ces l. the block within 'the ap y d laterally with the opinan 't will be clear that the n ferve to properly posi-.ion the 'e porcelain blocl; 73 w' `l Y .red vertical surfaces 150 and l .f l stance a cam 152 7, 10, ano :ages t-he roller 129 carried by the cani bloei; 8 'provided with the clam gers 117 nd 118 new positioned ately Lboro the porcelain block 73. 'i operation of the cam 152 causes the roller 29 engaged ther^ by to be moved inwardly, thereby effectg, the downward movement the clamping lingers 117 and 118 so as to yieldingly clamp the properly positioned 'porcelain block in position upon the int. zing plate 108. The cam 152 is operatirely connected with the drive by ieans of a helical gear 153 which meshe` with a companion gear keyed to the lower ond of a vertical shalt 156, av complete rotation 1seing imparted to the cam 152 during eachL period of indexing. Upon the clamping of the fingers 117 and 118, the cam 143 operates to withdraw the positioning fingers 189 and 140 and the plate 108 is indexed so as to carry the properly positioned bloclr into association with the carbon blocl inserting station The inserting station 43 as shown 1n Figs.

All

7, 16, 19 and 20 comprises a bracket 160 secured to the machine frame 55 supporting a rocker arm 161 at its upper end. One extremity of the rocker arm 161 supports `a plunger 163 which is reciprocable within a slot 164 provided in the bracket 160 (Fig. 20). The outer terminal of a chute 166 ter Inmates at the lower extremity of the slot 164 and is capable of guiding carbon blocks or inserts 167 of the types disclosed in Figs. 2,

l; 4, and to the lower end of the slot immediately beneath the plunger 163. X/Vhen the porcelain block 73 has been indexed from the positioning station the aperture 142 thereof is carried into registration beneath the plunger 163 and at that instant theloweri'ng of the plunger is eected by the operation of a cam 169 (Figs. 10 and 16) mounted upon the shaft 83 which causes the actuation of a rocker arm 170 connected with f5 one extremity of the rocker arm 161. The

block 73 by the lowering of the plunger 163 causes a latch 172 (Fig. to be moved outwardly by engaging a stud 173, thereby permitting a carbon insert positioned within the slot 164 beneath the plunger 163 to be urged downwardly. A spring pressed inger 175 (Fig. 19) yieldingly engages one edge of the insert as it is being lowered so as to maintain the insert in proper registration with the aperture of the porcelain block positioned therebeneath. A pivoted arm 176 which carries a roller 177 will prevent the downward movement of the plunger 163 by engagement with the rocker arm 161 inthe event that a vpair of clamping fingers 117 and 118 are indexed beneaththe inserting station without having a porcelain block associated therewith and will thus prevent a deposition of carbon inserts 167 upon the plate 108. Then a porcelain block is in position beneath the clamping lingers, the upper surface of the clamping finger 117 is carried into engagement with the roller 177 so as to swing the upper end of the arm 176 out of the path of the rocker arm 161.

The carbon insert supply mechanism 44 comprises an inclined hopper 179 (Figs. 1, 14 and 15) mounted at the upper extremity of f1. vertical support 180 secured to the machine frame 55. A rotatable receiving plate 182 within the hopper 179 is operatively connected with a main drive shaft 7 0 by means of a pair of vertical, oppositely disposed shafts 183 and 184, the upper end of the shaft 183 having a gear connection with the receiving plate 182 and the lower end of the shaft 184 having a gear connection with the drive shaft 70. The operation of the receiving lplate 182 is similar to the operation of the porcelain block receiving plate 57 in the hopper 53 and an annular marginal groove 186 provided in the receiving plate 182 is adapted to receive carbon inserts which become lodged therein and deliver said inserts to the entrance of the chute 166 which is connected at its lower extremity with the inserting station 43 as hereinbefore mentioned. A clutch mechanism 187 (Fig. 13) connects the shafts 183 and 184 and in the event that the receiving plate 182 meets with an abnormal resistance, such as might result from the jamming of the carbon inserts within the hopper 179, this clutch mechanism will automatically disconnect the shaft 183 from the shaft 184.

The carbon insert 167 having been properly inserted within its companion porcelain block 73, the positioning plunger 163 is withdrawn and the indexing of the plate 108 carries the assembled blocks into position to i be discharged therefrom by a shifter bar 189 (Figs. 7 and 10) which is carried at the forward extremity of the rod 91, which also carries the aforementioned shifter bar 90. Before the assembled protector block can be ejected from theindexing plate 108, the fingers 117 and `118 must be released therefrom and this is accomplished by means of a projection 190 (Figs. 10 and 11) extending laterally and formed integral with the lower portion of a bearing member 111. rlhis projection 190 is provided with a cam slot 192 which lies in the path of the rollers blocks 128 and serves to carry the rollers out wardly as a clamped porcelain block is being indexed to its iinal position and thereby to effect the release of the clamping members so as to permit the shifter bar 189 to advance or eject the porcelain block and associated carbon insert from the indexing plate. As the assembled block and insert are advanced from the indexing plate 108 they are carried into association with a gauging mechanism 193, later to be described, and from this mechanism they are advanced step by step into and along a. twisted groove or track 195 (Figs. 1 and 7). This twisted track 195 serves to overturn the parts before delivery to the transfer' mechanism 45, the initial or upright position of the protector block as it enters the track 195 being shown in Fig. 4. As the l parts reach the other extremity of thetrack 195, they will have rotated through 180 and assumed the inverted position shown in Fig. 5 and in that position will be advanced into a channel 196 of the `transfer mechanism 45 (Figs. 1 and 21) The transfer mechanism 45 is designed to receive the assembled parts from the twisted track 195 and to preclude the transferl of any of the porcelain blocks 78 not provided with carbon inserts 167 and also any blocks Vwhich might be improperly positioned. The block advanced within the channel 196 is subsequently carried into association with the forward extremity of ram 198 Vof the transfer' mechanism 45 (Figs. 21, 24 and 25) vand directly beneath the forward extremities of a pair of pivoted levers 199 and 200. These levers 199 and 200 are movable with the ram 198 and are provided at their rearward eX- tremities with loclrinoV surfaces or shoulders 203 and 204. respectively. When a porcelain block properly provided with a carbon insert is advanced beneath depending portions 205 and 206 of the levers 199 and 200, respectively, the ram 198 is urged forwardly and the rearward extremities of the levers 199 and 200 move away from the inclined surface of a fixed block 208 (Figs. 21 and 24) and a leaf spring 207 will cause the rearward end of the lever 199 to be urged upwardly until the forward end thereof engages the ad]l acentforward end of the lever 200 therebeneatb. This movement is sufficient to carry the shoul der 208 clear of a cross bar 209 extendingV between a pair of ears 210 secured toV thev block 208, the block being supported by a bracket 211 (Fig. 21) mounted on the machine frame. The engagement of the forward end of the lever 199 with the lever `200 129 carried by the camV will tend to effect the downward movement of the lever 200, but the presence of a carbon insert beneath the depending portion 206 `will prevent a movement of the lever 200 which would be sufficient to carry the shoulder 204 thereof upwardly into engagement with the cross 1par 209. t will thus be clear that under such circumstances the ram 198 will be free liftedupwardly at their fre-e forward ends b v the engagement thereof with rollers 216. The raising ofthe side frames 218 in this manner effects the elevation of a member 217 (Figs. 21 and 24) which lies immediately adjacent the upper surface of the ram 198. This member 217, it will be observed, is provided with a dependingr portion 218 which serves as a guide for the blocks which are advanced from the channel 196 into association with the forward `end of the l198 and obviously as this ram is carriedl forwardly, this depending portion 218 must be raised upwardly in order to clear the porcelain block upon the return stroke of the ram. 1n the event thata porcelain block is not provided with a carbon insert as it is fed 206 of thelevers 199 and 200, the forward end of the lever 200will be free to move. downwardly upon the engagement therewith of the lever 199 as the ram 198 begins its forward stroke, snfliciently to cause the shoulder 204 to be carried into engagement with the crossbar 209. Likewise, if a porcelain block is advanced infront of the raml 198 in a position similar to that shown in Fig.` 4. the depending portions 205 of the lever 199 will engage the upper surface of the porcelain block and hence the upward movement of the inner end of the lever 199 will not be sufficient to clear the shoulder 203 of the cross bar 209. The engagement of either of the shoulders 203and204 with the cross bar 209 prohibits the lforward movement of the ram 198 and hence the porcelain block associated with they ram is not transferred butr isiadvanced bythe engagement therewith of a subsequent block to a discharge opening 220 (Fig. 21). The reciprocation'of the ram 198 is occasioned through the operation of a cam 221 igs. 1 and 24) mounted upon the main drive 70. This cam 221 engages` a roller on a lever 223 which is connected at its upper extremity with the ram y198 by means of a rod 224.

The endless conveyor 46 comprises a chain 225 which ertendsbetween a pair of sprocket wheels 226 and 227 29). Mounted upon the chain 225 are sections'228 which are provided with a plurality of block receiving carriers 229 (Figs. 21 and 28). rEhe conveyor is adapted to be intermittently advanced by means of cam mounted upon the shaftO which intermittently causes the actuation of a pawl and ratchet mechanism 231 (Fig. 29) operatively associated with the sprocket wheel 226.- Subs-equent to the advancement of a porcelain bloclr and insert into association with the forward end of the ram 212, said rain is operated by means of a cam 232 on the shaft and a pivoted lever 234 (Figs. 1 and 21) so as to advance the block and associated insert to one of the carriers 229 of the endless conveyor 46. The members thus delivered to the carriers 229 are advanced into association with the ceinenting mechanism 47.

The cementing mechanism 47 (Figs. 21, 22 and 23) includes a hopper 235for retaining suitable cementing or bonding material in powdered form, such as lead borate, and is secured in position by means of a suitable standard 237. The lower' end of a flexible conduit 238 supports a delivery head 239 which is provided with a pair of branch conduits 241 (Fig. 23). rEhe delivery head 239 may be moved to the right and left (Fig. 22) within certain limits through the action of a cam 242 engaging with a roller carried at the lower extremity of a pivoted lever 243 which is connected at its upper extremity with the delivery head 239 by means of ra link 245. Then the delivery head 239 occupies the position shown in Fig. 22 the lower extremities of the branch conduits 241 are sealed by a leaf spring` 246. Positioned beneath the delivery head 239 and adaptedto register with the branch conduits 241 when said conduits are moved to the right are a pair of vertical conduits 248 (Fig.-23). These conduits 248 terminate within passageways 249 provided in a block 251 which is secured at Vthe end of al pair of horizontally disposed support arms 252. These arms are secured at their other extremity to a slide block 254 which is adapted to be reciprocated vertically through the action of a cam 255, a coil spring 256 being interposed between the upper end of the slide block 254 and the top of a casing 258 in which the block is slidably mounted. In this connection it will be observed that both of the cams 242 and 255 are carried by a horizontally disposed drive shaft 259 (Figs. 1 and 22) which has a gear connection at one extremity with the main drive shaft 70. Referring to Fig. 23 it will be understood that the lower portion of the block 251 is reduced sufficiently to permit of its insertion Vwithin the recess 76 of a porcelain blocl; 73 which has been advanced into position by the conveyor 46. The position of a porcelain block and associated carbon insert are shown in dotted lines (Fig. for the purpose of indicatingtheir relative position with respect to the lower end of the block 251 when the block has been carried to its lower-most position by the operation of the cam 255. hen the block 251 has been lowered to such a position, the cam 242 operates to cause the delivery head 239 to be momentarily urged to the right 22), thereby permitting a charge of cement from the hopper 235 to be delivered to the conduits 248 and thence into the passageways 249. It will be observed that the lower extremities of these passageways terminate at opposite sides of the carbon insert 167 with which the block 251 engages and hence the cement from within the passageways`249 will be delivered to a predetermined, localized areaV or position within the recess 76 of the porcelain block 73 adjacent its companion carbon insert, this position being clearly shown in Fig. 5. When a carrier 229 isadvanced beneath the block 251 without the porcelain block and insert positioned thereon, obviously it would not be desirable to permit a charge of cement or bonding material to be delivered to the conduits 248. rihis condition is provided for by employing a stop 261 which is carried by and movable with the arms 252. Thus when a conveyor carrier 229 is advanced into .position without supporting a block and associated insert, the lowering of the block 251 will not be limited by the presence of a carbon insert; hence, the stop 261 will be lowered sufliciently to occupy aI position in the path of the support arm 262 (Fig. 23) upon which .the de livery head 239 is mounted. The engagement of this support arm 262 with the stop 261 will positively prevent a delivery of a charge of cement to the conduits 248. Subsequent to this operation the conveyor' 46 operates to advance the parts properly supplied with charges of cement into the electric furnace 48.

The heating-furnace 48 (Fig. 1) is designed step to the proper heat and thereby cause a complete fusion of the charge of cement carried by each protector block unit to effect the binding of the parts thereof. As each protector block unit is advanced from the heating furnace its charges of cement will be in a plastic Vcondition preliminary to its transfer to the insert straightening and cement cooling station 49.

Referring to Figs. 26and 27 it will be observed that the conveyor carriers v229 advance protector blocks from within the furnace 4S to a position adjacent to the straightening and cooling station 49. At this position an ejector 264 actuated by a cam 265 on the shaft 259 and a bell crank 266Y associated therewith operates to remove a bloclr from a conveyor carrier 229 andadvancessaid block beneath three similar plungers 268. A. cam 269 operates a rocker arm 270 which actuates levers 272 supporting the plungers 268 through the medium of springs 273 and the plungers are thus brought into yielding engagement with 'roc ics

the protector block positionedl therebe'neath. rhe middle plunger engages with the carbon insert and the two outer plungers engage the porcelain block, and in this way the proper pos oning or straightening of the carbon inwithin the porcelain blocl; is ellected and this position w"l conform to the position disclosed in A5. valve 275 whicn is connected with a suitable supply of compressed air (not shown operated t`irough the engagenient ofthe rocher arm 270 with a sprl g pressed button to perizit a stream 'of air to pass through a pipe 277. rlhis pipe 277 terminates at a point adjacent the plungers 26S and the stream of air from the pipe cools the cementing material while the carbon inser*L is being held in proper position by the glungers as above described. rlhe parts constituting 'the protector bloclr now completely assenilfied7 the carbon insert 167 bein-'g secured within its companion porcelain bloei; 7 by means of av oond of cement 279 5), and as the completely assembled prote tor bloclrs are advanced from the cooling sta -l9 they are 'inally de .vered to a suitable receiving tray or receptacle Q81 (Fig. 1).

Attention s now directed to clutch mechanisins gs. 6 and 8) which serve cd in a counter-clockwise By urning the handle 28st in a counter-clockwise direction or in other words raising said handle a crank 285 (Figs. G, 31 and mounted-at the inner extremity of the shaft upon which the handle 204i is scoured engages with the slotted end of a linlr Q87, and causes an upright arm 288 pivoted at the opposite end of the lini: to be actuated. rlhis arm 288 is connected with a yoke` which actuates the clutch mech in 282 and thus Vwhen the handle is raised crie clutch mechanisms 282 are actuated so as to operatievly connecttlie shafts 69 and S3. A pivoted latch bar Q91 is adaptedto isch the l 287 when the linl; has been carried to the i (Fig. 31) and this position a si causes the latchbar 291 to be ccviet1 recess 294iin the link 287. To d lutclrmechanism 2,82 it is only nec lower the handle at .vhich time a tion or finger 296 formed integral with i Y crank 285 disengages the latch bar 29 coil spring 207 of the clutch mechanism automatieally causes the disengagement thereof. olcnoid 999 and is designed to disengage the latchr barV 1n the event that the mechanism for advancing the porcelain bl .oclrs to or away from theinderring mechanism el experiences abnormal resistance, such as might result from the jamming of the blocks, the solenoid operates to disenoage the clutch mechanisms 282. This is accomplished by the provision of a pair of spring contacts 300 and 301 the contact 800 being secured to the pin V103 and contact 301 to the block 102. When themaehine is working under normal conditions the coil spring 105 maintains the spring contacts in spaced relation7 but when the movement of the shifter bars 90 or 189 is obstructed7 the The O'auO'inO mechanism 193 Figs. 7.10

C b b b 7 and is operatively connected with a solenoid 303 which functions similarly to the solenoid 299. This gauging mechanism operates to preclude the entrance into the twisted track 195 of a porcelain block in which carbon inserts have been improperly positioned or inserted.v Thus, for example, if a carbon insert for some reason is positioned within a companion porcelain block so that it projects above the upper portion of the block, this insert will be carried into engagement with a depending metallic lug 304; which is supported by a spring contact 305. lf the lug` 304 is moved upwardly to a suilicient degree the circuit through the solenoid 303 will be closed and this will result in the upward novement of core therefrom. The upward movement of this core acting through a series of levers and cranks will effect the retraction of a latch 807, thereby permitting a guide member 30S which supports. the porcelain lilocl to swing downwardly of its ownweight. lihis results in the delivery of the bloclr having an imperfectly associated insert into a suitable chute 309. A cam 311 (Fig. 10) mounted on the shaft 83 operates a bell crank 312 which causes the immediatelreturn of the guide member 308 to its normal latched position to receive theporcelain bloclr next ad-A vanced. y

Having described in detail the functional characteristics of the principal parts of the protector block assembling machine, a brief statement of operation will now be presented.

Power is transmitted to the main drive shaft Y 70 by a chain 314C which is connected with' any suitable source of power supply (not shown) and upon raising the handle 284 the clutch mechanisms 282 are engaged so asto operatively connect the shafts 63 and 83. rEhe porcelain blocks 73 supplied from the hopper 53 are fed downwardly through the chute 7 9 and are individually transferred by the ram 81fin operative association with the siifter bar 90. rll`he shifter bar 90 operates to advance the block to the indexing mechanism l1 into position beneath the pairv of clamping lingers 117 and 118 (Fig. 7 The initial indexing movement of the plate 108 into Contact with Y block into association with the carbon inserting stat-ion 43 at which point a carbon insert which has been fed from the supply mechanism 44 through the chute 166 to the lower end of the slot 164 is delivered by the action of the plunger 163 into the aperture 142 of the porcelain block now positioned therebeneath. The bloc t is then indexed to a thirf or final position during which time the clamping fingers 117 and 118 are released and the shifter bar 189 operates to advance the block tothe gauging mechanism 193. The blocls which are not rejected at the gauging mechanism 193 are advanced through and overturned. within the twisted track 195 and delivered to the channel 196 of the transfer mechanism 45. rl`his mechanism operates to permit the transfer of only those blocks which are properly positioned and properly provided with carbon inserts. In this connection attention is directed to a bell crank 315 (Fig. 21) which operates to prevent the operation of the transfer ram 198 in the event that a bloclr for some reason is only partially advanced into position beneath the transfer mechanism. Under such circumstances the block will be car ied into engagement with an arm 316 of the bell crank 315 when the ram 19S begins its forward movement, and this will cause the extremity of an arm 317 to be moved into a notch 318 provided in the side of the ram 198 so as to positively prevent the continued movement of the ram. rl`he ram 212 delivers the blocks to carriers 229 of the endless conveyor 46 which carries said block into association with the ccmenting station 47. Atthis station cement or bonding material in powdered form is delivered in proper localized areas adjacent opposite sides of the carboninsert and the block is then fed in this condition'to the heating furnace 4S wherein the cement is properly fused to effect the binding of the parts. As the block emerges from the furnace it is delivered to the insert straightening and cement cooling station where the carbon insert is properly positioned with respect to its companion porcelain block. As shown in Figs. 26 and 27 a reciprocable brush 321 is provided which operates to cleaneach carrier 229 and brush any of the particles removed from the carriers into suitable chutes 322.

Although the invention as herein illustrated and described is particularly well adapted for use in connection with apparatus for assembling protector block parts, yit should be understood that the novel Jfeatures thereof are capable of other applications and `inserting mechanism, actuating means therefor, and means for heating the bonding material to effect the fusion thereof.

2. In apparatus for assembling insert members with companion apertured members, an inserting mechanism, means for retaining an indiscriminately arranged supply of apertured members and for advancing properly positioned members therefrom, means for delivering properly positioned apertured members to the inserting mechanism, means for feeding insert members to the inserting mechanism, and means for supplying a bonding material to the members assembled by the inserting mechanism.

3. In apparatus for assembling members with companion apertured members, an inserting mechanism operable to insert a member within the aperture of a companion member, means for applying fusible bonding material to the members preliminarily assembled by the inserting mechanism, actuating means for the material applying means, and means for fusing the bonding material applied tothe members.

4. In an apparatus for assembling members, a preliminary assembling mechanism, means operable to supply a charge of fusible bonding material tothe members preliminarily assembled, means for heating the charge of bonding material to fuse the same, and means directing a current of air against the bonding material to cool and harden the same.

5. In apparatus for assembling insert members with companion apertured members, an inserting mechanism, means for positioning an indiscriminately arranged supply of apertured members in predetermined relation and for delivering the same in predetermined position to the inserting mechanism, means for positioning an indiscriminately arrangedl supply of insert members in predetermined relation and for delivering the same in predetermined position to the inserting mechanism, and means for supplying bonding material to the members assembled by the inserting mechanism.

6. In apparatus for assembling protector block parts, an inserting mechanism, means for positioning an indiscriminately arranged supply of apertured blocks in predetermined relation, means for delivering the positioned blocks to the inserting mechanism, and means 

